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I’m not sure this is whataboutism. To me at least, the distinguishing feature is using a whatabout as a form of deflection or absolution.

Well we’re talking about Egypt & rhetoric now, so …

"yeah, yeah, that's bad, BUT HERE'S SOMETHING ELSE WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT"

Whataboutism doesn't give absolution, it's only meant to deflect, as ks2048 did.